Not since the invention of the bicycle have footpaths been the principal way of getting round the village. The vast majority of footpath journeys are now for leisure, exercise and dog walking. This creates different pressures on the network, which is used by people who have no connection with the land and agriculture. However, since its inception under the 1894 Local Government Act, Stoke Parish Council has always taken an interest in our footpath network.

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As early as 1898, the Devon and Somerset News reported of an inspection the local councillors had made:

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"STOKE ST. GREGORY

Parish Council : A Gratifying Inspection—ln accordance with an arrangement made at their last meeting, the councillors met at Churley on Monday last and made a general inspection of the footpaths, bridges and gateways extending over a large part of the parish. Starting from the point above named, north side of the hill overlooking Stanmoor to Stathe Bars near to the river Parrett, from thence they made their way  across to Stathe at a point near the old rhine at the lower part of Sedgemoor, and wended their way through to Holly Moor, and arrived at the residence of the vice-chairman, Mr. William House, of Parsonage, about mid-day, where they found quite unexpectedly a good aud substantial luncheon awaiting them, to which, it barely need be said, every one did ample justice. From this point the course pursued was through Woodbridge on to Woodhill, through by Pound Drove en route for Broadmead to Huntham, and from thence through Dunfield to Collickshire, on to Fox's Mend, on the outskirts of Turkey, returning by way of Windmiil Hill to Meare Green to finish the walk for the day. The weather was all that could be desired, aud the paths, bridges, &c, were not in a worse state than was expected, and it was encouraging to the Council that those on whose lands some of the defects exist, who were accidentally met by the way readily promised to do all that was necessary to remove the cause of complaint; in fact some of the works were already in progress. It is hoped others, as soon as their attention is called to what is required of them, will follow the example just mentioned. At the close of the day’s survey, Mr. Thomas Rowsell, the Council’s respected chairman, entertained his colleagues at his residence, where a sumptuous dinner was provided and thoroughly enjoyed. A few of Mr. Rowsell’s intimate friends and acquaintances were also in attendance. A most pleasant and enjoyable evening followed. Mr. and Mrs Rowsell had many good wishes ascorded them, and their health was drunk with musical honours."

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But the report may have been a little hopeful, as in January the next year, the council reviewed the state of footpaths, bridges and stiles. The Chairman read the list of the occupiers of the land visited by the council, and the defects and requirements noted for each noted at the time. "After a discussion, Mr Dare proposed, and Mr Musgrave seconded, that the Clerk write to all the various occupiers concerned giving them the option of doing all the necessary repairs themselves. Mr Hembrow proposed as an amendment that as the paths were used by the public, the Parish Council should do the work required themselves, and the cost be paid from the rates. This found no seconder. Ultimately Mr Dare’s proposal was agreed to."